ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, April 12, 1990                   TAG: 9004120633
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-14   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

VALLEY MEDIATION PROGRAM SUCCESSFUL

REGARDING a March 28 article written by Joe Kennedy, "Mediation market is a growing one," I would like to make the community aware of a successful mediation program already operating in the Roanoke Valley, which was barely addressed in the article.

The Roanoke County Department of Social Services has offered mediation services to the citizens of Roanoke County, Vinton and Salem since June 1985. The department offers mediation services by court referral and a limited walk-in basis. Its services address the areas of contested child custody and visitation issues.

The program was modeled after the Harrisonburg Community Mediation Center approach to conflict resolution, and the county received part of its training from that center. The department has seen in excess of 160 families to date, and has averaged successfully negotiated agreements in 75 percent of these cases.

I believe we offer the citizens of Roanoke County a very beneficial service. I believe it is also important to note that several members of the Roanoke County Department of Social Services' Mediation Services Unit have donated their time, talent and expertise to the proposed creation of a Roanoke-based conflict-resolution center. THOMAS R. WALLS Court Services Coordinator Family and Children's Services ROANOKE COUNTY 


 by CNB